Are Essential Oils Enchanted?

Sometimes using an essential oil feels like magic. The mixing and implementation of these fragrant, soothing concentrated plant extracts can make one feel like an alchemist in a workshop, surrounded by bubbling beakers and jars of ancient potions and powders.

Or a hedgewitch in a cottage deep in the woods, crafting healing tinctures and folk medicine out of invigorating lemon balm, tea tree oil, and relaxing lavender oil.

These "magic potions" can start to feel more like a wizard's spell than actual science or medicine, but they can have potential benefits and have long been a large part of alternative medicine and complementary medicine.

But how can we use essential oils to enhance or daily lives?

In more ways than you might think!

First off, though, what ARE essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquid derived from plant material. That sounds a little clinical, so let's break it down!

Imagine you have a basket full of flowers, like roses, lavender, or oranges. When you smell these flowers, they smell amazing. People extract the properties of these fragrances and concentrate them into pure essential oils.

Essential oils are made by taking special parts of plants, like petals, leaves, or even the peels of fruits, and turning them into a liquid. This liquid is super concentrated, which means it has a lot of the good stuff from the plants in a small amount. That's why we only need a few drops of essential oil at a time!

Now, essential oils have special powers. They can make us feel relaxed, happy, or even help us sleep better. When we smell them, they can change our mood and make us feel calm. Some essential oils may also help our skin stay healthy or keep bugs away.

We can dispense essential oils in different ways. We can use them with a reed diffuser, which spreads their nice smell all around a room. We can also mix them with things like water or oil to make our own natural perfumes or lotions. Some people even clean their homes or make them smell fresh with essential oil blends.

Essential oils are often used in candles as a few drops of pure essential oils can provide a strong, pleasing fragrance.

But remember, essential oils are like magic potions, and just like with any magic, we need to be careful. They are very strong, so we need to use them the right way.

How Do Essential Oils Work?

Inhaling aromas from essential oils can stimulate your limbic system which has a role in regulating your emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and memory.

The limbic system connection explains why essential oils and aromas can activate feelings of nostalgia and well-being.

The limbic system is also involved in other functions controlled by the nervous system, such as breathing, heart-rate, and blood pressure as well as your thoughts and emotions.

An essential oil can essentially be a cheat code for the complex system that is your body!

Certain essential oils can improve your mental state. Other essential oils have health benefits and are used often in alternative therapy, alternative medicine, and complementary medicine. Still other essential oils are antibacterial and can be used in household cleaning.

They also make Mythologie's candles smell so, so, so yummy!

How Do I Use Essential Oils?

Pure essential oils are super strong and should be diluted in a carrier oil, also sometimes called a base oil.

Different essential oils can have different dilution guidelines.

Some popular carrier oils are:

• Coconut oil

• Sweet almond oil

• Apricot oil

• Olive oil

• Grapeseed oil

• Jojoba oil

As always, make sure to keep in mind your own unique physiology and sensitivities to avoid allergic reactions when you use essential oils or choose a carrier oil.

While for candles Mythologie uses wax instead of a base oil, our wax is derived from coconut and apricots, making it a perfect carrier for the oils.

Also, we always make sure to use safe levels in our candles, fragrance oils, and other products to keep them pet-safe and appropriate for household use.

How do I apply essential oils?

Some popular methods for using essential oils include:

Topical Application

Apply via body oils or add them to your toiletries such as lotions and soaps.

Inhalation

Some people like to inhale essential oils directly from the bottle, but you can also use reed diffusers or mister to add essential oils to the air.

Be cautious with this method if you have pets as some essential oils can be toxic to animals, and you'll want to make sure your blends are pet-safe before you use essential oils in this manner. Mythologie candles stands by our promise to make all our products pet safe!

DO NOT Ingest Essential Oils!

In spite of their many benefits, ingesting essential oils is not advised. They are made to be used topically (such as via a body oil) or through the respiratory system (such as through an essential oil inhaler), not to be consumed. Essential oils may be harmful when taken internally.

What are some uses for essential oils?

Experience the benefits of Aromatherapy with essential oils.

Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and uplift mood. Inhaling the pleasant fragrances of essential oils can have a calming effect on the mind and body.

Some of the best oils and their benefits are:

• Peppermint oil for digestion, headaches, and energy

• Lavender oil for stress relief, help with sleep

• Tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties

• Lemon oil for nausea, depression, and healing

• Orange oil for exercise performance, pain relief, and weight loss

• Rosemary oil to relieve stress, relieve tension, and encourage clarity and insight.

You can use reed diffusers for an unobtrusive way to incorporate essential oils into your day-to-day or try a fragrance oil to wear your favorite fragrance on your person to experience the benefits on the go.

Essential oils really can give you that boost when you most need it!

Improve your Emotional Well-Being with Essential oils.

Certain fragrances have a proven effect to improve moods. Some, such as lavender oils, have a calming effect proven to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and research has shown that they can aid in sleep.

Also the benefits of having your favorite fragrances around you at all times, stirring happy memories and pleasant associations.

Whether you love the floral fragrances of rose petals and lavender essential oil, or you love the citrusy goodness of lemon balm and orange oil, just having your favorites on hand can improve mood and boost energy.

Finding candles that include your favorite scents will allow you to bring the benefits of essential oils into your daily return.

Not sure what fragrances you like? Try our scent quiz!

Enhance Your Meditation Time with Essential Oils.

Essential oils and aromatherapy accessories can truly bring your meditation up a level, creating a space for mindfulness, relaxation, and stress relief.

Some of the best essential oils for meditation include:

• Lavender oil

• Ylang-Ylang oil

• Rose oil

• Sandalwood oil

• Patchouli oil

• Chamomile oil

Reed diffusers are one of the best ways to incorporate essential oils into your meditation, but if you enjoy a candle meditation, having that candle also be fragranced with calming aromas is an extra benefit.

Watch the candle flame flicker and listen to the crackling of a natural wooden wick. We suggest using a candle with clean burning wax to avoid smoke inhalation. Mythologie Candles' clean burning coconut-apricot wax blend is perfect for this.

What are the Potential health benefits of essential oils?

While an essential oil potion may seem like something out of a fantasy novel, scientific studies have caused renewed interest in essential oils and aromatherapy work.

Certain essential oils have been studied for their potential health benefits.

For example, peppermint oil may help with digestion and headaches, while eucalyptus oil is often used for respiratory issues.

Tea tree oil is known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Rosemary oil helps to reduce anxiety and stress, mitigate nervous tension, and support respiratory function.

Lemon oil is used to reduce pain and speed up healing.

Lemon balm essential oil improves appetite and eases pain and discomfort from indigestion.

Some times you may want an essential oil for a very specific health condition. Research has show than tea tree oil can be used for treating athlete's foot, due to its antifungal properties.

Clove oil, on the other hand, is an essential oil considered essential for oral health. It can help you fight gum disease, relieve tooth pain, and alleviate bad breath.

To further combat gum disease some people suggest adding in eucalyptus oil to decrease inflammation or soothing it with a mix of tea tree oil and peppermint oil which can reduce swelling.

However, it's important to note that essential oils should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment, and consulting a health care professional is advisable for specific health concerns.

Don't Let Bugs Bug You! Essential Oils are Natural Insect Repellent.

Having unwanted creepy critters in our homes and offices can give us the shivers. Don't worry! Essential oils are here to save the day!

Citrus oils, especially, can serve as natural insect repellent, so consider lemon oil and orange oil.

Many insects are also not fans of peppermint oil.

What essential oil is best for insect repellent? Here are our top picks:

• Citronella oil

• Lemongrass oil

• Peppermint oil

• Eucalyptus oil

• Tea tree oil

• Lavender oil

Using candles scented with these notes, or applying essential oils through room and linen sprays or essential oil diffusers can keep the creepy crawlies away!

What essential oil should you use to clean your home?

Many common household cleaners have toxins and harmful chemicals, but using essential oils instead can avoid the negative effect of such chemicals. Choosing products with specific natural ingredients can bring the effects of essential oils into your cleaning routine.

As an added benefit, many essential oils have antibacterial properties!

If you're looking specifically to kill germs, these are the top antibacterial essential oils:

• Lemon oil

• Lavender oil

• Peppermint oil

• Lemongrass oil

• Tea tree oil

• Eucalyptus oil

• Cedarwood oil

• Cinnamon oil

An added bonus? Many of these essential oils ALSO are on our insect repellent list, so you can get rid of both germs and bugs!

Essential Oils for Immune System Support!

Sometimes we all need a little boost to get us through the day. Essential oils are here to boost your immune system, bolster your health, and give you that extra resilience against illness.

Certain essential oils are known specifically for their immune boosting properties.

What are the Best Essential Oils for Immune Support?

• Eucalyptus oil

• Oregano oil

• Lemon oil

• Myrrh

• Frankincense

• Ginger oil

• Peppermint oil

• Cinnamon oil

Some of these serve as one-two punch of essential oil goodness as they are both immune boosting AND antibacterial. Mix essential oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint, which are popular essential oils for a good reason.

Using Essential Oils in Skincare.

Many essential oils possess properties that can benefit the skin. For example, tea tree oil has antibacterial properties, while rosehip oil is rich in antioxidants and can promote skin rejuvenation. Essential oils can be added to skincare products or used in homemade remedies for various skin conditions.

REMEMBER: Most essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin without first being diluted in a carrier oil.

While most Mythologie products are not created to be applied topically, our candles are made with safe ingredients including luxurious coconut wax that will not cause skin irritation if it does come in contact with your skin.

Our personal fragrance oils (which ARE designed to be applied topically) are also specifically formulated to avoid skin irritation.

How and why Mythologie uses natural fragrances in their candles?

Our founder, Leah, started this company while working through health issues, which meant that clean ingredients were a priority as she got rid of all toxic cleaners, chemicals, foods, and household things that would not contribute to a healthy lifestyle. This included making sure she only used the safest, most health friendly essential oils and fragrance oils in our candles.

We also chose to avoid soy wax because of the unfortunate trigger that soy wax can cause for headaches. Even if your candles are using natural fragrances and essential oils, if they are soy, they may still cause issues. In addition to being genetically modified and adding to the toxic load of a household, we recognized that many people also get headaches from soy candles, and we sought an alternative.

Different wax blends can affect people differently, and soy has been known to cause allergic reactions for many people.

Though much more expensive, we went with the cleanest burning wax we could possibly find: Coconut-Apricot wax (who knew)! Not only is it clean and sustainable, but it's incredibly luxurious, has a very low melting temperature and if you happen to get a drop or two on your skin, you may enjoy the incidental effects of rubbing it in! No skin irritation to be found!

We are committed to making all our candles, reed diffusers, room and linen sprays, and even personal fragrance oils health friendly, pet-safe, and utterly delightful! You can read our candle creed here.

If you care about the ingredients in your candles but still want a strong, unique scent profile to enjoy in your home, Mythologie candles are perfect for you!